Revelation 4:1-11: A Vision of the Throne Room

Introduction

Scripture

Revelation 4:1–11 ESV

1 After this I looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven! And the first voice, which I had heard speaking to me like a trumpet, said, “Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this.” 2 At once I was in the Spirit, and behold, a throne stood in heaven, with one seated on the throne. 3 And he who sat there had the appearance of jasper and carnelian, and around the throne was a rainbow that had the appearance of an emerald. 4 Around the throne were twenty-four thrones, and seated on the thrones were twenty-four elders, clothed in white garments, with golden crowns on their heads. 5 From the throne came flashes of lightning, and rumblings and peals of thunder, and before the throne were burning seven torches of fire, which are the seven spirits of God, 6 and before the throne there was as it were a sea of glass, like crystal. And around the throne, on each side of the throne, are four living creatures, full of eyes in front and behind: 7 the first living creature like a lion, the second living creature like an ox, the third living creature with the face of a man, and the fourth living creature like an eagle in flight. 8 And the four living creatures, each of them with six wings, are full of eyes all around and within, and day and night they never cease to say, “Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come!” 9 And whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to him who is seated on the throne, who lives forever and ever, 10 the twenty-four elders fall down before him who is seated on the throne and worship him who lives forever and ever. They cast their crowns before the throne, saying, 11 “Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created.”

Outline

Revelation 1 - Introduction

Revelation 1:1-3 - Prologue & Benediction

Revelation 1:4-8 - Epistolary Introduction

Revelation 1:9-20 - A Vision of the Son of Man

Revelation 2-3 - The Seven Churches

Revelation 2:1-7 - The Letter to Ephesus

Revelation 2:8-11 - The Letter to Smyrna

Revelation 2:12-17 - The Letter to Pergamum

Revelation 2:18-29 - The Letter to Thyatira

Revelation 3:1-6 - The Letter to Sardis

Revelation 3:7-13 - The Letter to Philadelphia

Revelation 3:14-22 - The Letter to Laodicea

Revelation 4-5 - The Throne Room

Revelation 4:1-11 - A Vision of the Throne Room

Revelation 4:1-3 - God Seated on the Throne

Revelation 4:4-11 - Around the Throne

Purpose of Book

The purpose of Revelation is to challenge/encourage believers, who are expectantly awaiting the reign of Christ, to live faithfully for Him despite worldly circumstances, persecution, and the cosmic battle between God and Satan.

Main Point

John sees a glorious vision of the throne room. The Father, in all glory and majesty, sits on his throne being continually worshiped by the living creatures and the twenty-four elders.

Backdrop of Revelation 4-5 in the Old Testament

Daniel 7:9-28

Commentary on the New Testament Use of the Old Testament Introductory Overview of the Visions of Revelation 4–5

1. Introductory vision phraseology (Dan. 7:9 [cf. 7:2, 6–7]; Rev. 4:1)

2. The setting of a throne(s) in heaven (Dan. 7:9a; Rev. 4:2a [cf. 4:4a])

3. God sitting on a throne (Dan. 7:9b; Rev. 4:2b)

4. The description of God’s appearance on the throne (Dan. 7:9c; Rev. 4:3a)

5. Fire before the throne (Dan. 7:9d–10a; Rev. 4:5)

6. Heavenly servants surrounding the throne (Dan. 7:10b; Rev. 4:4b, 6b–10; 5:8, 11, 14)

7. Book(s) before the throne (Dan. 7:10c; Rev. 5:1–7)

8. The “opening” of the book(s) (Dan. 7:10d; Rev. 5:2–5, 9)

9. A divine (messianic) figure approaches God’s throne in order to receive authority to reign forever over a “kingdom” (Dan. 7:13–14a; Rev. 5:5b–7, 9a, 12–13)

10. This “kingdom” includes “all peoples, nations, and tongues” (Dan. 7:14a MT; Rev. 5:9b)

11. The seer’s emotional distress on account of the vision (Dan. 7:15; Rev. 5:4)

12. The seer’s reception of heavenly counsel concerning the vision from one among the heavenly throne servants (Dan. 7:16; Rev. 5:5a)

13. The saints are also given divine authority to reign over a kingdom (Dan. 7:18, 22, 27a; Rev. 5:10)

14. A concluding mention of God’s eternal reign (Dan. 7:27b; Rev. 5:13–14)

Ezekiel 1-2

Isaiah 6

WHY IS JOHN PULLING FROM THESE PLACES????

God is issuing judgment from His throne where He rules over ALL of creation

Upon judgment redemption is thus found

Revelation 4:1-3 - God Seated on the Throne

Revelation 4:1–3 ESV

1 After this I looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven! And the first voice, which I had heard speaking to me like a trumpet, said, “Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this.” 2 At once I was in the Spirit, and behold, a throne stood in heaven, with one seated on the throne. 3 And he who sat there had the appearance of jasper and carnelian, and around the throne was a rainbow that had the appearance of an emerald.

After this I looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven!

After this I looked, and behold,

A door standing open in heaven

Not a literal door, but symbolic revealing God is going to disclose information

And the first voice, which I had heard speaking to me like a trumpet, said, “Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this.”

Like a trumpet

Revelation 1:10 ESV

10 I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet

Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this

Come up here

Command

Must take place

Revelation 1:1 ESV

1 The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show to his servants the things that must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John,

Revelation 1:19 ESV

19 Write therefore the things that you have seen, those that are and those that are to take place after this.

Daniel 2:28–29 ESV

28 but there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries, and he has made known to King Nebuchadnezzar what will be in the latter days. Your dream and the visions of your head as you lay in bed are these: 29 To you, O king, as you lay in bed came thoughts of what would be after this, and he who reveals mysteries made known to you what is to be.

After this

Not necessarily chronological, but revealing the next sequence of visions

At once I was in the Spirit, and behold, a throne stood in heaven, with one seated on the throne.

At once I was in the Spirit

Signifies a second vision

Revelation 1:10 ESV

10 I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet

A throne stood in heaven

The word throne is used 38x between 4-22 and 17x in 4-5

One seated on the throne

God reigns on his throne despite the cosmic evil ever abounding

And he who sat there had the appearance of jasper and carnelian, and around the throne was a rainbow that had the appearance of an emerald.

Ezekiel 1:26–28 ESV

26 And above the expanse over their heads there was the likeness of a throne, in appearance like sapphire; and seated above the likeness of a throne was a likeness with a human appearance. 27 And upward from what had the appearance of his waist I saw as it were gleaming metal, like the appearance of fire enclosed all around. And downward from what had the appearance of his waist I saw as it were the appearance of fire, and there was brightness around him. 28 Like the appearance of the bow that is in the cloud on the day of rain, so was the appearance of the brightness all around. Such was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the Lord. And when I saw it, I fell on my face, and I heard the voice of one speaking.

Ezekiel 9:2 LES2

2 And look, six men were coming from the way of the high gate, which looks to the north, and each one’s axe was in his hand. And one man in the middle of them was clothed in a full-length robe and a belt of sapphire upon his loins. And they entered and stood near the brazen altar.

Exodus 24:10 ESV

10 and they saw the God of Israel. There was under his feet as it were a pavement of sapphire stone, like the very heaven for clearness.

Exodus 28:17–20 ESV

17 You shall set in it four rows of stones. A row of sardius, topaz, and carbuncle shall be the first row; 18 and the second row an emerald, a sapphire, and a diamond; 19 and the third row a jacinth, an agate, and an amethyst; 20 and the fourth row a beryl, an onyx, and a jasper. They shall be set in gold filigree.

He who sat there

Appearance of jasper and carnelian, and around the throne was a rainbow that had the appearance of an emerald

Jasper

Carnelian

Rainbow appearance of an emerald

These stones are not to be taken individually, but collectively

Collectively they represent God’s unmatched glory, majesty, and beauty

Revelation 4:4-11 - Around the Throne

Revelation 4:4–11 ESV

4 Around the throne were twenty-four thrones, and seated on the thrones were twenty-four elders, clothed in white garments, with golden crowns on their heads. 5 From the throne came flashes of lightning, and rumblings and peals of thunder, and before the throne were burning seven torches of fire, which are the seven spirits of God, 6 and before the throne there was as it were a sea of glass, like crystal. And around the throne, on each side of the throne, are four living creatures, full of eyes in front and behind: 7 the first living creature like a lion, the second living creature like an ox, the third living creature with the face of a man, and the fourth living creature like an eagle in flight. 8 And the four living creatures, each of them with six wings, are full of eyes all around and within, and day and night they never cease to say, “Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come!” 9 And whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to him who is seated on the throne, who lives forever and ever, 10 the twenty-four elders fall down before him who is seated on the throne and worship him who lives forever and ever. They cast their crowns before the throne, saying, 11 “Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created.”

Around the throne were twenty-four thrones, and seated on the thrones were twenty-four elders, clothed in white garments, with golden crowns on their heads.

***Daniel 7:9-28 and Ezekiel 1:26-28 serve as the backdrop to the throne room vision***

Twenty-four thrones, and seated on the thrones were twenty-four elders

Celestial beings that are always mentioned alongside the four living creatures in Revelation

Sum of the 12 patriarchal leaders and 12 apostles symbolizing all of priesthood of believers

Clothed in white garments, with golden crowns on their heads

White garments

Signifies purity

Golden crowns

Signifies rulership

From the throne came flashes of lightning, and rumblings and peals of thunder, and before the throne were burning seven torches of fire, which are the seven spirits of God, and before the throne there was as it were a sea of glass, like crystal.

Flashes of lightning, and rumblings and peals of thunder

Ezekiel 1:13 ESV

13 As for the likeness of the living creatures, their appearance was like burning coals of fire, like the appearance of torches moving to and fro among the living creatures. And the fire was bright, and out of the fire went forth lightning.

Exodus 19:16–19 ESV

16 On the morning of the third day there were thunders and lightnings and a thick cloud on the mountain and a very loud trumpet blast, so that all the people in the camp trembled. 17 Then Moses brought the people out of the camp to meet God, and they took their stand at the foot of the mountain. 18 Now Mount Sinai was wrapped in smoke because the Lord had descended on it in fire. The smoke of it went up like the smoke of a kiln, and the whole mountain trembled greatly. 19 And as the sound of the trumpet grew louder and louder, Moses spoke, and God answered him in thunder.

John experiences the awesome presence of the Father in His throne room

Before the throne were burning seven torches of fire, which are the seven spirits of God

Seven spirits = Holy Spirit

Revelation 1:4 ESV

4 John to the seven churches that are in Asia: Grace to you and peace from him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven spirits who are before his throne,

Remember Revelation 1:4 pulls from Zechariah 4 for the seven spirits

The Father (on the throne), the Son (brought John into the throne room), and the Holy Spirit (before the throne)

Before the throne there was as it were a sea of glass, like crystal

Ezekiel 1:22 ESV

22 Over the heads of the living creatures there was the likeness of an expanse, shining like awe-inspiring crystal, spread out above their heads.

A barrier between the Father and the rest of the chaotic sin-filled universe

No one comes to the throne unless invited in by the Father

And around the throne, on each side of the throne, are four living creatures, full of eyes in front and behind: the first living creature like a lion, the second living creature like an ox, the third living creature with the face of a man, and the fourth living creature like an eagle in flight.

Around the throne, on each side of the throne, four living creatures, full of eyes in front and behind

Cherubim

Ezekiel 1:5–14 ESV

5 And from the midst of it came the likeness of four living creatures. And this was their appearance: they had a human likeness, 6 but each had four faces, and each of them had four wings. 7 Their legs were straight, and the soles of their feet were like the sole of a calf’s foot. And they sparkled like burnished bronze. 8 Under their wings on their four sides they had human hands. And the four had their faces and their wings thus: 9 their wings touched one another. Each one of them went straight forward, without turning as they went. 10 As for the likeness of their faces, each had a human face. The four had the face of a lion on the right side, the four had the face of an ox on the left side, and the four had the face of an eagle. 11 Such were their faces. And their wings were spread out above. Each creature had two wings, each of which touched the wing of another, while two covered their bodies. 12 And each went straight forward. Wherever the spirit would go, they went, without turning as they went. 13 As for the likeness of the living creatures, their appearance was like burning coals of fire, like the appearance of torches moving to and fro among the living creatures. And the fire was bright, and out of the fire went forth lightning. 14 And the living creatures darted to and fro, like the appearance of a flash of lightning.

Genesis 3:24 ESV

24 He drove out the man, and at the east of the garden of Eden he placed the cherubim and a flaming sword that turned every way to guard the way to the tree of life.

Exodus 25:18–22 ESV

18 And you shall make two cherubim of gold; of hammered work shall you make them, on the two ends of the mercy seat. 19 Make one cherub on the one end, and one cherub on the other end. Of one piece with the mercy seat shall you make the cherubim on its two ends. 20 The cherubim shall spread out their wings above, overshadowing the mercy seat with their wings, their faces one to another; toward the mercy seat shall the faces of the cherubim be. 21 And you shall put the mercy seat on the top of the ark, and in the ark you shall put the testimony that I shall give you. 22 There I will meet with you, and from above the mercy seat, from between the two cherubim that are on the ark of the testimony, I will speak with you about all that I will give you in commandment for the people of Israel.

Exodus 26:1 ESV

1 “Moreover, you shall make the tabernacle with ten curtains of fine twined linen and blue and purple and scarlet yarns; you shall make them with cherubim skillfully worked into them.

Full of eyes

They are keeping watch protecting God’s sacred throne room and issuing divine judgments as God’s agents

They also bring encouragement to those who are undergoing persecution

The first living creature like a lion

King of beasts

The second living creature like an ox

Most powerful domestic animals

The third living creature with the face of a man

Crown of God’s creation

The fourth living creature like an eagle in flight

Most majestic bird

Together they represent all of creation and call for all creation to worship God

And the four living creatures, each of them with six wings, are full of eyes all around and within, and day and night they never cease to say,

Each of them with six wings, are full of eyes all around and within

Isaiah 6:1–7 ESV

1 In the year that King Uzziah died I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up; and the train of his robe filled the temple. 2 Above him stood the seraphim. Each had six wings: with two he covered his face, and with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. 3 And one called to another and said: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory!” 4 And the foundations of the thresholds shook at the voice of him who called, and the house was filled with smoke. 5 And I said: “Woe is me! For I am lost; for I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts!” 6 Then one of the seraphim flew to me, having in his hand a burning coal that he had taken with tongs from the altar. 7 And he touched my mouth and said: “Behold, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away, and your sin atoned for.”

Notice how the cherubim and seraphim imagery is combined by John confirming the living creatures are celestial beings

Day and night they never cease to say

Jewish writings also state that the cherubim continually worship

“Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come!”

Isaiah 6:3 ESV

3 And one called to another and said: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory!”

The celestial beings worship the true God who is holy, He reigns over the entire universe (both seen and unseen), no one can approach him casually, and he ushers in the fullness of his kingdom reign

Notice the slight difference “the whole earth is full of his glory!” vs. “who was and is and is to come!” - God is coming to establish his reign on earth in a way not seen previously

And whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to him who is seated on the throne, who lives forever and ever, the twenty-four elders fall down before him who is seated on the throne and worship him who lives forever and ever.

Whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to him who is seated on the throne, who lives forever and ever,

The twenty-four elders fall down before him who is seated on the throne and worship him who lives forever and ever

They cast their crowns before the throne, saying,

Cast their crowns

Any rule or authority they have comes from God Himself

Giving back the crowns is an act of grateful worship

“Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created.”

The chorus of heavenly worship centers on God being the sovereign creator who alone is worthy of worship

Application

The Father sits on His throne in glory and majesty. We can only approach Him on His terms, like John, through the Son

Hebrews 4:14–16 ESV

14 Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

The celestial hosts, both the living creatures and the twenty-four elders, offer continual praise to God. We should follow their example and live a life of worship to Him

Romans 12:1–2 ESV

1 I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. 2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

Main Point

John sees a glorious vision of the throne room. The Father, in all glory and majesty, sits on his throne being continually worshiped by the living creatures and the twenty-four elders.